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Human Rights & Democracy

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Human Rights & Democracy

Teaser Video HR70

EU launches campaign to celebrate

70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

 

70 years - Universal Declaration of Human rights

The promotion and protection of human rights is at the heart of multilateralism, a central pillar of the UN system, and a core and founding value of the EU.

This year we mark the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and join UN Human Rights in inviting everyone to

 

#Standup4humanrights.

 

The Universal Declaration is the cornerstone of international human rights law and its first article captures its very essence:

"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights".

Human rights should be universal, indivisible and interdependent.

While the international human rights system has come under increasing pressure, it still continues to show great resilience to withstand challenges.

Human Rights Defenders all over the world embody that resilience. These are some of their stories.

The EU stands up and continues to relentlessly support human rights defenders, to speak out against the shrinking civil society space, and to use political and financial action to support them.

They stood up, will you?

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The European Union views all human rights as universal, indivisible and interdependent. It actively promotes and defends them both within its borders and when engaging in relations with non-EU countries.

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News stories
DEMINING, mine awareness day, mine action

EU mine action and victim assistance across the globe

34-year-old taxi driver Omar Musa, was amongst 40,000 Libyans who, together with his family, had to flee from the city of Tawergha after the 2011 revolution in Libya. People were living in dire conditions in camps spread across the country. Seven years later, Omar was finally able to return home. “When I arrived I was not aware of the danger that I faced. However, I found billboards and posters on the walls near the entrance of the city with emergency phone numbers to report any explosive remnants of war. I did not really understand what that meant at the time." Indeed, in such situations, the EU supports projects to raise awareness about unexploded ordnances and mines, and to help clear people’s properties so that they can return safely home.

Thursday, 4 April, 2019 - 00:29
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safe drinking water, water diplomacy, water as a human right, world water day

Water is life… every drop counts... cherish it!

Water is not to be taken for granted. 2.1 billion people across the globe lack access to drinking water. On World Water Day, we remember how much access to sufficient, safe, drinkable, physically accessible and affordable water is a precondition for a decent life. The fundamental human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation apply to every human being and are fully recognised and backed by the EU.

Friday, 22 March, 2019 - 17:57
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NON DISCRIMINATION

EU steps up fight against discrimination through its External Action

21 March 1960… in Sharpeville, South Africa police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against the apartheid 'pass laws.' This day was recognized to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Thursday, 21 March, 2019 - 16:46
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News stories

Mogherini stresses EU-UN multilateral approach based on common interests and values

"There is a ‘European way’ towards peace and security, which is identical to the ‘UN way’ towards peace and security. It is a path built on mediation and peacekeeping operations, on sustainable development and the protection of human rights, on humanitarian aid and on building and respecting shared rules," EU High Representative Federica Mogherini said, addressing the UN Security Council (UNSC) in New York on 12 March 2019.

Thursday, 14 March, 2019 - 14:28
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News stories
Syrian women

Syrian women, agents for change

"The situation of women has been better during the conflict than before, despite the war… during the peaceful protests in 2011, the voice of women became equal to that of men and the revolution was an opportunity to demand more rights for women", says Ghaliya Al Rahal, a Syrian women's rights activist and director of a network of centres for women empowerment in Northern Syria.

Wednesday, 13 March, 2019 - 11:54
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